Canisius College, Buffalo, New York
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling Master’s Degree
Founded in 1870, Canisius College is one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the nation and the premier private university in Western New York. Canisius is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best comprehensive universities in the North region.

Canisius offers quality academic programs taught by faculty who are leaders in their fields. More than 125 majors, minors and special programs through the College of Arts & Sciences, the Richard J. Wehle School of Business, and the School of Education and Human Services provide many exciting options for career preparation or higher-level educational pursuits. Classes are offered in state-of-the-art campus facilities and in out-of-class settings through exciting field study and internship opportunities. Canisius College is accredited by numerous national organizations, including:

• The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business -
  AACSB -International (Business Administration Program)
• The American Chemical Society
• The Council for Education of the Deaf (Deaf Education Program)
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
  (all School of Education and Human Services programs)
• The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (Athletic Training)

These accreditations serve as a testimonial to the excellent quality of a Canisius education, which prepares students to become leaders in their professions, their communities and their service to humanity.

Admission to the Department of Counseling and Human Services
Student candidates must fulfill the following requirements for the Counseling Programs:

• A completed Canisius graduate admissions application. 
• Submission of one (1) official undergraduate transcripts showing completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7. Transcripts may be sent to you or directly to Canisius College by your institution.  If sent to you, they will be in a sealed envelope that should be forwarded to us unopened. Applications for candidates with less than a 2.7 cumulative GPA will be reviewed by the program director for an admissions decision and may include additional requirements (e.g., personal interview, GRE/GMAT, etc.)
• Submission of two (2) letters of recommendation from academic or work-related sources.
• Canadian students must also provide a completed Certification of Finances form. 

Successful completion of the items below is required by the end of the first semester of study:

• Completion of the Counseling and Human Services screening process which include the Minnesota Multi-Phasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), a written autobiography, and an empathy test. 
• An individual interview must be completed with the student’s academic advisor. These tests are scheduled quarterly. 

The School of Education & Human Services
Welcome to the School of Education & Human Services at Canisius College. We offer nationally recognized programs in education, administration, counseling, and specialized allied health fields which place students on rewarding paths to success in a variety of careers.  Our programs are well-known for their small class sizes and for the personalized attention students receive from expert faculty. Quality placements in classrooms and organizations throughout the region provide valuable experience which will prepare you for professional roles. 

Canisius programs in School Counseling and Community Mental Health Counseling are accredited by CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs), the most rigorous accrediting body in the field of counseling education. CACREP accreditations are in School Counseling and Community Counseling and in effect through March 2017.

Why is graduate school a great value? A master's degree from Canisius will give you a competitive edge in the marketplace and greatly increase your earning potential. Although graduate school is a big commitment, your hard work and perseverance will payoff. Individuals with master's degrees earn over $500,000 more than those with only a bachelor's degree over the course of their working lives.

The program for School Counseling (SC) leads to certification in New York State. It also allows for significant credential portability in school counseling to other states. The best “agency” counseling credential is the state license -- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). To prepare for this credential you should enroll in the CMHC program. In the past, many graduates from the SC program have found jobs in agency work, although it is anticipated that there will continue to be opportunities for non-licensed counselors in agency work, the LMHC is the preferred credential in agency/mental health counseling.

Counseling Master's Degree Programs
To make a positive impact on another person through counseling is a remarkable experience. Whether you plan to become a school counselor, a mental health counselor, a substance abuse counselor, a rehabilitation counselor or a general agency counselor, the master’s programs in Counseling and Human Services provide you with the necessary background and training.

Mental Health Counseling
New York State has a mental health counseling license (LMHC). This license is the most important credential for mental health counselors and other agency counselors in New York State. We are currently in a “transitioning period” while agencies and existing professional practices begin to recognize and require this credential.   Candidates who follow the academic program for mental health counseling will qualify to take the state exam and pursue the necessary post-master’s work experience required for this credential.

Substance Abuse Counseling
Students in our program have the option of preparing to become a Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (C.A.S.A.C.).  The C.A.S.A.C. is a state certification that requires both academic and work experience. Canisius is accredited by New York State to provide academic preparation for the C.A.S.A.C. 

Core Courses Required for School Counseling and Mental Health Counseling:
Note: Prerequisite means course must be already completed. Co-requisite means course must be taken at the same time. Concurrent requisite means the course must either be completed or taken at the same time.

EDC 570 Intro to Professional Counseling & Ethics    3 credits
Introduction to philosophy, issues, theories, processes, professional organizations and professional ethics related to the counseling field. Co-requisite: EDC 560

EDC 560 Child Abuse Prevention         0 credits
Must co-register with 570. This is a “lab” done inside of 570 to meet state requirement. Co-requisite: EDC 570

EDC 593 Lifespan Development       3 credits
Understanding of the theories and research pertaining to individual and family development transitions across life-span focusing on strategies (individual, group, and family) conducive to healthy development of diverse individuals.

EDC 579 Social and Cultural Issues in Counseling       3 credits
Understanding attitudes and behavior of self and others based on age, race, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status, spirituality and issues of social justice in counseling.

EDC 573 Counseling Theory and Process      3 credits
Historical and current theories of counseling and psychotherapy.  Application of those theories to realistic case situations and development of the individual student's approach to the helping relationship.
Concurrent requisite: EDC 570

EDC 589 Family and Couples Counseling       3 credits
Characteristics of normal and troubled families.  Emphasis on theories and techniques of marriage and family counseling, including Minuchin, Satir, Bowen, and Haley, Gottman and solution-focused approaches. Concurrent requisite: EDC 570

EDC 574 Group Dynamics        3 credits
Theoretical and experiential basis for dealing with groups in both information-oriented and therapy- oriented situations.  Concurrent requisite: EDC 570

EDC 571 Psychological and Educational Assessment in Counseling    3 credits
Selection, use, interpretation, and critical evaluation of standardized psychological tests of intelligence, achievement, interest, and personality.  Practical uses in counseling.
Concurrent requisite: EDC 570

EDC 572 Career Counseling    3 credits
Current theories and processes pertinent to vocational development and decision-making.  Application of theory and informational media to career counseling.
Concurrent requisite: EDC 570

EDC 597 Psychopathology       3 credits
In-depth investigation of human abnormality.  The DSM IV categories of disorders, depression, and considerations for dealing with crisis situations.

EDC 615 Research Techniques       3 credits
Qualitative and quantitative aspects of carrying out research.  Realistic experiences in carrying out research and evaluation experiments, including inferential statistical methods.

EDC 575 Pre-Practicum Helping Skills      3 credits
Intensive practical skill development based on theory and background courses. Emphasis on helping skills, consultation and working within organization. Prerequisite: EDC 570 & EDC 573

Specialization Courses for Mental Health Counseling
EDC 568 Principles of Mental Health Counseling    3 credits
Introduction to historical and organizational perspectives, roles of mental health counselors and professional issues facing mental health counselors. Concurrent requisite: EDC 570

EDC 598 Case Formulation, Treatment Planning and Psychopharmacology   3 credits
Application of diagnostic systems, the development of clear case conceptualization skills, treatment planning and medications used in treatment. Prerequisites: EDC 570, 573, 597

EDC 585 Chemical Dependency and Rehabilitation OR EDC 586 Physical and Psychological Aspects of Substance Abuse   3 credits
Understanding alcohol and other drugs in mental health. Patterns of use, physical and psychological consequences, personal, family and social implications. Treatment approaches.

EDC 577 Agency Clinical Practicum       3 credits
Agency-centered placement of student counselors for experiential purposes.  Development of clinical counseling skills, case conceptualization and treatment. Prerequisites: EDC 570, 573, 575 Recommended: EDC 598

EDC 600 Mental Health Counseling Internship     6 credits
Practical experience in a mental health setting. Internship can be done on a full-time basis over one semester or a part time basis over two semesters (Part-time: EDC 604 and EDC605). Prerequisites: EDC 577

Elective Courses:
Note: Any graduate course whether listed as required or elective
can be used as an elective if not required by the program.

581A Grief Counseling        3 credits
The grief response in individuals and families when faced with disappointment, and loss, especially when the loss entails death.

582A Play Therapy      1 credit
Foundations of play therapy principles and models in counseling.Meets for five weeks only.

582B Solution Focused Therapy      1 credit
Concentrated application of Solution Focused Therapy. Theory and clinical uses. Meets for five weeks only.

582C Creative Arts Therapy      1 credit
Foundations of the creative arts therapies and clinical application in counseling. Meets for five weeks only.

EDC 583 Principles of Rehabilitation      3 credits
Procedures and theory used by rehabilitation counselors.

EDC 585 Chemical Dependency and Rehabilitation    3 credits
History of drug abuse, characteristics of drug dependence, and chemical abuse treatment modalities, including strategies for prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation.

EDC 586 Physiological and Psychological Aspects of Chemical Dependency 3 credits
Etiology of chemical dependency.  Diagnosis, screening, counseling issues, and ethical issues in recovery and growth.

EDC 587 School and Student Assistance Programs    3 credits
For school counselors, teachers, and administrators.  Factors involved in at-risk youth.  Developing skills to design, monitor, and evaluate S.A.P. programs. Includes prevention programming and intervention models.

EDC 590 - Managing School Counseling Programs   3 credits
Designed for practicing school counselors or students in the later stages of their degree. Focus on change processes in schools, leadership skills for school counselors and the evolving role of the school counselor. A distance learning course on the web. Prerequisites: EDC 603 or PT Internships 604 and 605.

EDC 592 Counseling and Guidance Strategies for Education   3 credits
How teachers, administrators, and other personnel, K-12, can minimize risks and maximize learning.  Current issues, including child abuse and suicide.  Counseling services and programming.  Identifying and assisting students in accessing services and interfacing with parents.

EDC 594 Women's Issues in Counseling      3 credits
Counseling strategies, goals, and interventions regarding women's issues of career, family, health, and gender within the American culture.  A developmental approach is taken to consider these issues over the life-span.

EDU 596A Sexuality Issues in Counseling      1 credit
Historical, ethical and social concerns surrounding human sexual behavior.  Sex education and exchange of information.  Meets for 5 weeks only.

EDU 596C Self-Destructive Behavior       1 credit
Theoretical and practical considerations specific to presentations of self-destructive behaviors in counseling including eating disorders and cutting.  Meets for 5 weeks only.

EDC 599 Independent Study       1-3 credits
Specialized reading, conferences with the instructor, and detailed research. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

Graduate Tuition and Fees -2011- 2012
(effective May 2011) All tuition and fees are subject to change

Tuition/School of Education & Human Services: $694/credit

Mandatory Fees: 
College Fee - 12+ credit hours: $132/semester
College Fee - Up to 11 credit hours: $11/credit
Technology Fee - 12+ credit hours: $90/semester
Technology Fee - Up to 11 credit hours: $7.50/credit

Financial Aid 2011
Canisius College is committed to the needs of its students and their parents. The Student Financial Aid Office provides supportive financial aid services, including personalized counseling and generous merit programs, which recognize academic excellence.

A college education is a significant investment and a major concern for most families.  The Canisius College Financial Aid staff understands your concern and wants to make this process as easy as possible.

Canisius College realizes that each student's desire to acquire a quality education requires a serious commitment on the part of the student and the family.  At Canisius, the commitment is reciprocal and is evident in educational standards, quality services, modern facilities and financial support for our students.  It is the policy of Canisius College to renew financial aid programs funded by the College, at least at their present level, provided you maintain good academic standing, the family's financial situation remains the same and federal regulations do not change.  It is important to note that with the exception of Canisius College Scholarships, you must apply for financial assistance on an annual basis, using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

In addition to Canisius College Scholarship programs, we offer several other grants, including The Canisius College Grant. Canisius College grants comprise the largest of our institutional aid programs. Grants are awarded on the basis of financial need and are renewable provided the family situation and income level remain the same. Canisius College grants may provide assistance to those who have financial need that cannot be met by federal or state programs. To apply for this grant, you must file the FAFSA. With a combination of institutional scholarship and grant programs, federal and state aid and financing plans, the high quality Canisius College experience is both valuable and affordable.

The Vincent and Harriet Palisano Foundation Catholic Educator Scholarship (PDF) is available for teachers, counselors and administrators working in Catholic schools in the Diocese of Buffalo. Income Based Repayment (IBR) is a new option for federal student loans, designed for those with high debt relative to their income.

Graduate Assistantships, NY State Child Care Educational Incentive Program, and Army ROTC Scholarships at Canisius are available to graduate students.  Graduate students can complete the program in two years by attending the Leader Training Course at Ft. Knox, KY during the summer before starting the program.  Two year scholarships cover tuition and provide a monthly stipend and book allowance.   

Assistantships
These awards are assignments in the student's department or elsewhere on campus as a graduate assistant, graduate teaching assistant, or graduate research assistant. Students receive tuition waivers for 3 or 6 credit hours for working 10 or 20 hours per week during the semester of service. Assistantships may be in an academic department or nonacademic office (e.g., Residence Life, Graduate Education, Career Center, etc.).  

Financial Aid for U.S. graduate students at Canisius College is available through several financial aid programs.  They include federal, state and private sources.  Remember, the financial aid year at Canisius College begins with the summer semester and ends with the spring semester.

For information on these and other financial aid programs, please visit http://www.canisius.edu/admissions/finaid_programs.asp.

NYS Licensure for Mental Health Counseling
General Licensure Info:
http://www.op.nysed.gov

Approved Counselor Education Programs:
http://www.nysed.gov/heds/IRPSL1.html

Office of Mental Health (OMH) Licensed Programs:
http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/licensing/bic/locatebic1.asp

For more information about the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling Master’s Degree at Canisius College, please contact the Graduate Admissions Office at (716) 888-2545, or toll free at 1-800-950-2505, or GradAdmissions@canisius.edu.

Canisius College - Where leaders are made
2001 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14208-1098 | Phone: 716-883-7000 | Fax: 716-888-2525
http://www.canisius.edu/default.asp